New Guinea Birds For Sydney Zoo

A NUMBER of rare birds-of-paradise from the Mt. Hagen district of New Guinea, four species of which have never before been out of the Mandated Territory alive, arrived in Sydney on the "Malaita” early in October. They are portion of a consignment of birds and animals collected by Mr. John Hallstrom, Jr. They will be featured in the New Guinea section of the Taronga Zoological Park and Aquarium.

At the wharf to watch the collection being unloaded were Mr. Dan Clyne, MLA, president of the Taronga Zoological Park Trust; and Mr. E. J. L. Hallstrom, vice-president of the Trust, vice-president of the Royal Zoological Society of NSW, and well known managing director of a Sydney refrigerator firm. Both had re cently returned from New Guinea.

Mr. Clyne said the move was part of a scheme for the restocking of the Sydney Zoo, which was depleted after six years of war, during which time it was not possible to make replacements; and also for the creation of a new annexe to be known as “New Guinea Section.”

Several weeks ago Mr. Hallstrom, Sr., flew to Mt. Hagen. After organising matters at that end, he returned to Australia. Later his son, Mr. John Hall strom, and the head birdkeeper of the Sydney Zoo, Mr. P. Murphy, flew to Lae.

From there Mr. Hallstrom flew across to Mt. Hagen and with the assistance of District Officer J. Taylor (Garoka) and ADO E. Blood, (Mt. Hagen) collected the first batch of birds. He sent these down to Mr. Murphy at Lae, and later flew down a second load.

MR. HALLSTROM, JR., explained that of the twelve known species of bird-of-paradise to be found in the Mt. Hagen area, he collected ten.

Some of the birds collected have never been properly named but they included “King of Saxony,” “Ribbon-Tailed” and a highland form of the Giant Sichle Bill species.

Fifty birds-of-paradise, 50 cockatoos, parrots and lorikeets, 12 cassowaries and 16 tree-climbing kangaroos, were loaded onto the “Malaita” at Lae.

At this stage Mr. Hallstrom, Sr., with Mr. Clyne, flew back to Port Moresbv to finalise arrangements with the Adminis tration, and returned to Sydney in time to meet the “Malaita” when it arrived on October 2.

“We received every courtesy and con sideration from the Administrator (Colonel J. K. Murray), his deputy (Judge F. B. Phillips) administrative officials and residents of Port Moresby”

Mr. Clyne said. “We would like to ex press our appreciation to all these people for the help they afforded the party ”

Mr. Hallstrom, Jr., said that DO Taylor and ADO Flood gave him great assistance —he was able to obtain such a splendid collection only through their kind offices.

THE last collection of birds-of-paradise from New Guinea were obtained in 1930 by Mr. H. B. Brown, now sec-

retary of the Taronga Zoological Park Trust, but in the ensuing years thay have all died.

Mr. Hallstrom, Sr., has assisted the Trust generously in obtaining fresh stocks of animals from overseas since the war. Four months ago a consignment of 30 of the better known types of birds of-paradise found in the Port Moresby area arrived at the Zoo. With the latest reflection it is claimed that the Trust now has the finest living collection of birds of-paradise in he world.

The Park Trust is fully aware of the value of their latest addition, and in the New Guinea section, which promises to be a star attraction of the Zoo, the birds of-paradise will be featured in a central area to be known as “Paradise Parade.”

From left to ri ght: Mr. E. J. Hallstrom, Mr. Dan Clyne, MLA, Mr. John Hallstrom and Mr. P. Murphy.